Pack frame



July 5, 1955 o. MILLER 2,712,404

PACK FRAME Filed April 1e, 1953 INVIENTOR scaljli/ler' ATTCI R N EYS Stu' United States Patent PACK FRAME Qscar Miller, Oroville, Wash. v Application April 16, 1953, Serial No. 349,251

2 Claims. (Cl. 224-25) This invention relates to a pack carrier or frame for use by hunters, prospectors, hikers, or other persons.

The object of the invention is to provide a pack frame which is light in Weight and adjustable, and which is exible and which will distribute the weight of the load evenly so that heavy loads can be carried comfortably.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pack carrier which is constructed so that the carrier or frame will not accidentally become loose or detached from the person, the frame being adjustable and having parts which are capable of independent movement or action so that the user will be able to move with ease.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pack frame which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

ln the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the pack frame of the present invention in use.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the pack frame.

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the pack frame.

Figure 4 is a top plan View of the pack frame.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7--7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is an elevational View showing the blank for making one of the connector members.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates each of a pair of uprights which may be made of hollow metal tubing, and the upper end of each of the uprights 10 is shaped arcuately as at 11 to provide a shoulder engaging portion. A suitable shoulder pad 12 may be secured to each of the curved portions 11 by clamps 14, Figure 2. A cross brace 15 extends between the upper ends of the uprights 10, and the ends of the brace 15 may be movably connected to the uprights by suitable brackets 16. The brackets 16 may be made of a at piece of bendable metal as shown in Figure 8 and the bracket 16 may be provided with a pair of openings 17 whereby a suitable securing element such as a bolt 18 may extend through the openings 17 and through the brace 15 for connecting these parts together. Friction tape 19 may be interposed between the bracket 16 and the upright 10. A second cross brace 20 extends between the lower portions of the uprights 10, and the cross brace 20 may also be movably connected to the uprights 10 by brackets 16.

A cover member 21 which may be fabricated of a suitable material such as canvas extends around the pair of uprights 10, and suitable lacing or cords 22 may extend through grommets 23 in the canvas cover 21 for maintaining the cover in place. A portion of the lacing 22 may be trained over the braces 15 and 20, Figure 3. A hip pad 24 may be arranged adjacent the lower ends of the uprights 10, and the hip pad 24 may be held in place by suitable lacing or cord 25.

The numeral 27 designates the pack or bundle being carried, Figure 1, and suitable cords or cables .28 may be. trained around or tied around the bundle 27, and the cables or ropes 28 may be connected to suitable eyes 26 which are secured to the uprights 10. The cables 28 serve to maintain the pack 27 in place on the pack frame.V For supporting the pack 27, a platform 29 is secured -to clamps 31 by suitable bolt and nut assemblies 30, and the clamps 31 may be mounted on hollow tubular arms 321 which extend rearwardly from the lower end of each of the uprights 10. A clamp 33 may be mounted on theouter end of each of the arms 32 for a purpose. to be later described, Figure 5.

Therevis further provided a head strap 36 which may be made of a suitable piece of flexible material, andclamps 37 are connected to each end of the head strap 36. Av

chain 38 has one end connected to each of the clamps 37, and the lower or rear ends of the chains 38 are connected to the clamps or rings 33.

Clamps 39 are secured to each of the uprights 10 adjacent their lower ends, and a dog latch 49 is connected to each of the clamps 39. A chain 41 has its upper end connected to each of the dog latches 40, and the chains 41 extend through the hollow arms 32, and up into the uprights 10. Suitable bolts 42 extend through the arms 32, and bolts 43 extend through the uprights 10 for securing the chains 41 in place.

The hip pad 24 may be used when desired, and the hip pad 24 includes an outer cover member 34 and an inner yieldable pad 35.

From the foregoing it is apparent that a pack frame has been provided which will distribute the weight of the pack evenly over the shoulders and back so that blood circulation to the arms will not be cut olf. The canvas 21 around the pipe frame permits air to circulate next to the back and the head strap 36 helps hold the pack up and take some of the load from the shoulders and back as the person desires. The platform 29 is hinged to the lower ends of the uprights, and the shoulder pads 12 provide a cushion between the frame and the persons shoulders. However, the pads 12 may not be used if the person does not feel they are necessary. The frame may be made of any suitable material such as lightweight aluminium. Also the pack frame may be folded to occupy a small space when it is not being used. By adjusting the chains, the position of the platform 29 can be adjusted as desired. 'Ihe present invention is streamlined, durable and is especially suitable for use by hunters, Sportsmen, campers, hikers, mountain climbers, prospectors and other persons. Also, loads of various shapes and sizes can be carried, and the packer can be readily engaged or disengaged from the person, there being movable joints between the parts so that the parts can move independently of each other to give flexibility to the pack frame so that there will be no binding on the parts of the body. The head strap 36 can be used at the will of the carrier to assist in taking part or all of the weight of the load or just to help steady the load.

I claim:

1. A pack frame comprising a pair of hollow spaced uprights each terminating in an upper curved shoulder engaging portion, a flexible shoulder pad connected to each of said curved portions, a exible covering extending between said uprights and secured thereto, a pair of cross braces extending between said uprights and connected thereto, a hip pad mounted on the lower portion of said uprights, a head strap arranged above said curved portions, an arm arranged adjacent the lower end of each of said uprights, a platform extending between said arms andsecured thereto, clamps connected to the outer ends rof said arms, chains extending between said head strap and clamps and connected thereto, clamp members secured to the upper portion of said uprights, and chainsv extending from said clamp members through said arms and connected to said uprights and arms.v

2. In a pack frame, a pair of uprights made of hollow metal tubing, the upper end ofV each of said uprights being shaped arcuately to provide a shoulder engagingportion, a shoulder pad positioned below each of said shoulder engaging portions, clamps for maintaining said shoulder pads connected to said shoulder engaging portions, a bracket connectedto each of said uprights and provided with a pair of opposed openings, a cross brace extending between said pair of brackets, securing elements extending through the openings in said bracketsV and connected to said cross brace, brackets connected trained over said cross braces, a hip pad arranged ad- Y jacent the lower ends of said uprights, eyes secured to to the lower ends of said uprights, a second cross brace extending between said last named brackets and secured thereto, a cover member of exible material extending around said'uprights and provided with a plurality of grommets, cords extending through said grommets and said uprights, cables connected to said eyes and engaging a pack being carried, a hollow tubular arm extending rearwardly from the lower end of each of said uprights, clamps connected to said arms, a platform secured to said last named clamps, a head strap Vof flexible material having clips connected thereto, chains connected to said clips, rings connecting said chains to` said arms, a dog latch connected to each of said uprights, a chain connected to each of saidA dog latches'and extending through said arms and up into said uprights, and bolts for securing said last named chains in place.

References Cited in the file of-this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Italy Apr. 17, 1940 

